Episode 4
Outsmart the Scroll: AI Tactics to Beat Algorithm-Driven Procrastination
đź“ş Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify for visual tool demos and screenshots.
Do you feel like your feed is hijacking your focus?
This episode is your practical guide to fighting back with AI.
Tony Winyard walks beginners through 5 simple tools to reclaim attention, reset your digital habits, and make your tech work for you — not the other way around.
⏱ What you’ll learn:
• How platforms like YouTube, Meta, and TikTok steer your decisions
• What “filter bubbles” and “predictive nudging” actually mean
• How to block manipulative ads and invisible trackers
• Tools that let you diversify your feed and defend your time
• How to stay ethical when using AI as a business owner
🧰 Tools mentioned in this episode:
• uBlock Origin – ruthless ad blocker → https://ublockorigin.com
• Privacy Badger – tracker-suppressor → https://privacybadger.org
• Who Targets Me – see who’s influencing you → https://whotargets.me
• Feedly – build a bias-free news pipeline → https://feedly.com
• Glaze – cloak your artwork from scraping → https://glaze.cs.uchicago.edu
• RescueTime – auto track time lost to distraction → https://rescuetime.com
• Feed Audit Tracker – Download CSV
🎯 Listener Challenge: Run the Feed Audit
Track your digital distractions, apply two tools from this episode, and measure your results over 7 days.
Post your gains in the Facebook group poll:
👉 Join the Facebook Group – “How to Use AI”
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🎙 “Automate the Tasks You Hate with AI”
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Transcript
Episode four, outsmart the scroll AI tactics to beat
Speaker:algorithm driven procrastination.
Speaker:Hi, and welcome to How to Use AI and Automation, the podcast for complete
Speaker:beginners who want to make AI work for them, not the other way round.
Speaker:If you are already using 17 AI tools before breakfast, you are probably
Speaker:overqualified for this podcast.
Speaker:But if you have ever wondered why YouTube just served you 17 versions
Speaker:of the same video, stick around.
Speaker:Today we are talking about algorithmic manipulation, how platforms like
Speaker:Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube nudge us, distract us, and derail our focus.
Speaker:More importantly, I'll show you how to push back using AI itself.
Speaker:A quick note, I've got a free webinar happening this Monday, 2nd of June
Speaker:at 7.30pm called: "Automate the tasks you hate with AI", practical,
Speaker:beginner friendly, and totally free.
Speaker:We'll tackle annoying admin tasks like email invoices and form filling.
Speaker:Details are in the show notes and the how to use AI Facebook group.
Speaker:And remember, every episode is available as video on YouTube and Spotify.
Speaker:So if you want to see the tools or screenshots I mention,
Speaker:check out the video version.
Speaker:Now let's dive in.
Speaker:The stat and the scroll.
Speaker:Now, here's a stat to make you pause 96 minutes.
Speaker:That's how much productive time the average small business owner loses every
Speaker:single day to digital distractions.
Speaker:Thanks to Salesforce for that stat.
Speaker:It's not all doom scrolling.
Speaker:Some of it is research that becomes a 40 minute detour into
Speaker:YouTube holes and Twitter tangents.
Speaker:But much of this distraction is engineered.
Speaker:Platforms want you hooked.
Speaker:It's not a conspiracy, it's a business model.
Speaker:How algorithms manipulate.
Speaker:So let's unpack a few terms.
Speaker:First, "Filter Bubbles".
Speaker:These happen when algorithms only show you things you already agree with.
Speaker:You stop seeing different viewpoints.
Speaker:Great for staying comfortable.
Speaker:Not so great for making good decisions.
Speaker:" Echo Chambers".
Speaker:A bubble with sound.
Speaker:You're not just seeing the same opinions.
Speaker:You are hearing them echoed back by your friends, followers, and feeds.
Speaker:" Predictive Nudging".
Speaker:This is where it gets spooky.
Speaker:Platforms ,track not just what you do, but how you do it.
Speaker:What you pause on, what you almost click.
Speaker:They start predicting and nudging your next move.
Speaker:The result, you are no longer choosing.
Speaker:You are being steered.
Speaker:Five tools to reclaim your feed.
Speaker:Now the good bit.
Speaker:Here are five tools that help you fight back.
Speaker:All beginner friendly.
Speaker:I'll explain what they do, why they matter, and where to find them.
Speaker:Number one, uBlock Origin, clean the noise.
Speaker:What it is, it's a free browser extension that blocks ads,
Speaker:but not just the obvious ones.
Speaker:It stops banners, autoplaying videos, and hidden trackers.
Speaker:Why it matters.
Speaker:Ads Don't just sell.
Speaker:They spy.
Speaker:Every ad loads tracking scripts that learn what you click and when.
Speaker:That data feeds your algorithmic profile.
Speaker:With uBlock those ads never load.
Speaker:Pages load faster.
Speaker:Your attention stays intact.
Speaker:Where to get it?
Speaker:uBlockOrigin.com works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
Speaker:2.
Speaker:Privacy Badger.
Speaker:Shut the eyes that follow you.
Speaker:What it is, it's made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Speaker:It blocks invisible trackers, things like fingerprinting scripts
Speaker:that follow you across sites.
Speaker:Why it matters.
Speaker:Even if you block cookies, many sites still try to track you by device
Speaker:type, screen size, or mouse movements.
Speaker:Creepy?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Legal?
Speaker:Also, yes.
Speaker:Privacy Badger learns over time, which trackers are snooping and blocks them.
Speaker:Where to get it?
Speaker:PrivacyBadger.org
Speaker:3. Who Targets Me.
Speaker:See who's trying to sway you.
Speaker:What it is, it's a browser plugin that shows which political
Speaker:campaigns are targeting you, on platforms like Facebook and why.
Speaker:Why it matters.
Speaker:Political ads are tailored down to postcode and belief.
Speaker:This tool shows you which party, message, or influencer thinks you are an easy mark.
Speaker:Where to get it?
Speaker:WhoTargets.Me
Speaker:4. Feedly Boards.
Speaker:Build your own newsfeed.
Speaker:What it is, it's a news aggregator where you choose the sources.
Speaker:No algorithm meddling, just clean custom boards you create yourself.
Speaker:Why it matters.
Speaker:You get outta the filter bubble.
Speaker:You want global news, niche blogs or opposing views?
Speaker:Add them.
Speaker:Group them.
Speaker:Done.
Speaker:Where to get it?
Speaker:Feedly.com
Speaker:5. Glaze.
Speaker:Protect your creative work.
Speaker:What it is, it's a tool that cloaks your artwork from being scraped
Speaker:by AI models, and why it matters.
Speaker:If you post art online, models like Midjourney and Stable
Speaker:Diffusion can learn your style.
Speaker:Glaze adds subtle changes that confuse them, but humans don't notice.
Speaker:Where
Speaker:to get it, glaze.cs.uchicago.edu And remember
Speaker:All of these links in the show notes, and if you are listening to the audio version,
Speaker:all of these tools are shown on screen in a video version on YouTube or Spotify.
Speaker:And as I said, links are in the show notes.
Speaker:So the ethics knife edge.
Speaker:With every tactic we use to protect our time, there's a line.
Speaker:Blocking ads?
Speaker:Sensible.
Speaker:Masking data?
Speaker:Maybe.
Speaker:Flooding platforms with fake clicks to confuse the system?
Speaker:It's questionable.
Speaker:The goal isn't to trick the tricksters, it's to be conscious consumers.
Speaker:You don't need to fight dirty, just fight smart.
Speaker:Transparency beats trickery.
Speaker:Always ask, would I be okay if this was done to me, instead of by me?
Speaker:So market without being creepy.
Speaker:Now, if you are a small business owner, this bit is for you.
Speaker:You use data.
Speaker:You might run ads.
Speaker:You might send emails.
Speaker:Here's how to avoid being part of the problem.
Speaker:Don't use pre ticked consent boxes.
Speaker:Use proper opt-ins.
Speaker:Tools like ConvertKit make this easy.
Speaker:Check your targeting.
Speaker:Are you excluding groups unfairly?
Speaker:Are you relying on stereotypes?
Speaker:Audit your site recommendations.
Speaker:Browse your own site as a stranger.
Speaker:Is it helpful or pushy?
Speaker:Disclose AI use.
Speaker:Did ChatGPT help write that blog post?
Speaker:Say so.
Speaker:It builds trust.
Speaker:Not shame.
Speaker:Add a, "Why did I get this?" link to emails or ads.
Speaker:Both honest and rare.
Speaker:Fair, clear, human first marketing wins long term.
Speaker:So I have a listener challenge.
Speaker:Your task this week.
Speaker:Run your own feed audit.
Speaker:So here's the steps and the action.
Speaker:Number one, choose a metric: time loss, tasks undone or money not earned.
Speaker:Number two, track your baseline for two days.
Speaker:Number three, try at least two of today's tools.
Speaker:Number Four, remeasure for a week.
Speaker:Number five, post results in the Facebook group or poll.
Speaker:The download link for the Tracker template is in the show notes.
Speaker:That's it for this week.
Speaker:Remember the webinar this Monday at 7:30 PM.
Speaker:"Automate the Tasks You Hate with AI".
Speaker:Video version of this episode is on YouTube, Spotify,
Speaker:complete with tool demos.
Speaker:And screenshots.
Speaker:Join the Facebook group for links, templates, and discussion.
Speaker:Until next time.
Speaker:Work with AI, don't be worked over by algorithms.
